"Very good." The Guardian's voice rang out once more. A beam of white light projected from the light screen, shining upon Bai Li. Bai Li felt a wave of dizziness; the scene before her began to blur and distort, shattering like a broken mirror. Chaotic colors and light rays intertwined, making her feel dazzled and disoriented. The surrounding air also began to warp and twist. The originally rich Spiritual Qi and medicinal fragrance gradually dissipated, replaced by an ethereal and mysterious aura.
When she woke again, Bai Li found herself in a vast, pure white space. Nothing surrounded her. Beneath her feet was soft, white cloud-like ground, as if stepping on cotton—light and airy, without a shred of solidity. The sky above was also a boundless expanse of white, devoid of sun, moon, stars, or clouds—only an illusory, empty whiteness. It felt like being in an infinitely extending white world, filling her with bewilderment and unease. Bai Li looked down at her body and saw she still maintained her fox-woman form. Two fluffy tails swayed gently behind her like two blooming white puffballs, adding a touch of vitality to this monotonous white space.
An ancient and majestic voice echoed in her mind, like a giant bell—deafening, yet carrying a hint of ethereality and mystery, as if from a distant time and space. "Thou art the Bloodline inheritor of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. Thou must pass three trials to obtain the Legacy." The voice was deep and resonant, carrying an unquestionable authority, yet faintly hinting at encouragement and expectation, like an elder earnestly instructing a Junior, guiding her forward.
This voice was identical to the one from the blurry figure in the light screen. Bai Li instantly understood in her heart: this was the Guardian of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox clan, and also the guide on her Legacy path. She hurriedly replied respectfully, "I humbly heed the Senior's instruction. This Junior will spare no effort to complete the trials!" Her tone was firm, her eyes filled with desire and determination. To break the Bloodline Seal and restore her Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox form, she was willing to pay any price and accept any challenge.
"The first trial tests thy Heart-Nature." The Guardian's voice sounded again. Then, a stone gate materialized out of thin air before Bai Li. The gate was simple and massive, carved from an unknown black stone. Its surface was engraved with many intricate patterns and designs that shimmered with a faint golden light. An ancient and mysterious aura emanated from the stone gate, as if it connected to another world, full of the unknown and challenge, involuntarily inspiring a sense of awe. "Push open the stone gate and enter within." The Guardian's voice came again, its tone carrying a hint of encouragement and expectation.
Bai Li took a deep breath, calming her nervous emotions. She strode forward with resolute steps, walked to the stone gate, extended her hands, and gently pushed it open. The stone gate slowly swung open with a dull creak, like an ancient bell tolling, echoing in the silent space as if announcing the start of some ritual.
Inside the cave, Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo waited anxiously. The golden light screen still enveloped the altar. They couldn't see Bai Li's situation nor contact her, which made them deeply worried. Lin Yaoyao tightly gripped the Flying Sword in her hand, its tassel swaying slightly, betraying her inner unease. Shen Mo, holding her long sword, vigilantly scanned the surroundings. She circulated her spiritual power to its peak, ready to face any potential danger at any moment.
"Will Bai Li be alright?" Lin Yaoyao asked, a trace of worry in her voice. She turned to look at Shen Mo, her eyes full of inquiry. Bai Li had been suddenly enveloped by the golden light screen; they hadn't had time to react and didn't know what was happening inside. This sudden change filled Lin Yaoyao with unease, her heart brimming with worry and anxiety, fearing Bai Li might encounter some danger.
Shen Mo gently patted Lin Yaoyao's shoulder, comforting her, "Don't worry, Yaoyao. Bai Li is blessed with good fortune; she'll be fine." Her tone was firm, her eyes filled with confidence. She believed in Bai Li's strength and luck, certain she could turn danger into safety. Though Shen Mo's heart was also filled with concern, she understood that staying calm was paramount now. They couldn't panic. They had to trust Bai Li and wait for her safe return.
Lin Yaoyao nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm her inner turmoil. She knew Shen Mo was right; worrying was useless now. All they could do was wait and trust Bai Li. They tried attacking the light screen, hoping to break it and enter to check on Bai Li. They used every method—Flying Swords, Spells, Talismans, even Lin Yaoyao's Lifebound Treasure. Yet the light screen remained unmoved, like an insurmountable chasm completely isolating Bai Li from them. Their attacks were utterly ineffective; instead, the power rebounding from the screen shook them, making their Qi and blood surge, forcing them to retreat repeatedly.
Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo had no choice but to give up their attacks. They could only wait anxiously outside the light screen, comforting each other, waiting patiently. They believed Bai Li would surely return safely. Time passed second by second. The cave was silent, with only the sound of their breathing and heartbeats echoing. Outside the cave, the roar of the waterfall and the chirping of birds filtered in, creating a stark contrast with the cave's silence and further accentuating the heavy atmosphere within.
After pushing open the stone gate, Bai Li found herself in an illusion. The illusion presented the scene she most desired: restoring her true Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox form. She saw herself with nine fluffy tails, each emitting a different light, like nine colorful silk ribbons swaying gently behind her, breathtakingly beautiful. Her clothes had transformed into a magnificent white gown, its hem embroidered with golden patterns, light and graceful like celestial clouds. Her beauty was peerless, her aura noble, like a Heavenly Immortal descending to the mortal realm, so beautiful it stole one's breath. There was also a woman wearing a red wedding dress, sitting with her back to Bai Li at a dressing table, grooming herself before a mirror. The woman had a graceful figure, her long, jet-black hair cascading like a waterfall. The red wedding dress accentuated her fair skin, making her appear even more charming and lovely. Bai Li recognized the woman at a glance: it was Lin Yaoyao.
"Sister Yaoyao!" Bai Li cried out joyfully. She quickly walked to Lin Yaoyao's side, wanting to embrace her. Lin Yaoyao slowly turned around, her face radiant with a happy smile. Adorned with a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, she was stunningly beautiful. "Bai Li," Lin Yaoyao said softly, her voice gentle and sweet, like heavenly music, "Thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me." She reached out and gently stroked Bai Li's cheek, her gaze as tender as water, as if wanting to melt Bai Li.
Bai Li was immersed in this beautiful illusion. She reached out, wanting to grasp Lin Yaoyao's hand, yet feared disturbing this wonderful dream. She gazed at Lin Yaoyao with infatuation, her eyes filled with love and happiness. In this moment, she felt as if she possessed the whole world.
However, beautiful times are always fleeting. The scene in the room suddenly changed, and the most despairing scene in her heart slowly surfaced. The originally warm and comfortable room transformed into a sinister and terrifying Hell. The carved wooden bed became a blazing bonfire. The light gauze curtains turned into swirling black smoke. The cosmetics on the dressing table became piles of bleached bones. The air was filled with a pungent smell of burning and a nauseating stench of blood. The once warm light became an eerie red glow, like Hellfire, illuminating everything around, casting the entire room in a bloody red hue, making it appear exceptionally horrifying and bizarre.
Lin Yaoyao's figure also changed. Her originally beautiful and charming face became twisted and hideous. The red wedding dress turned into burning flames. The phoenix crown became a burning skull. She let out a piercing, mournful scream, a sound like a vengeful ghost's wail, making one's hair stand on end and sending chills down the spine. She extended her flaming hands, reaching for Bai Li as if to drag her into the abyss of Hell. "Bai Li, come to Hell with me!" Lin Yaoyao's voice was hoarse and terrifying, like a demonic sound from Hell, carrying endless resentment and rage, as if wanting to devour Bai Li.
Bai Li was terrified. She struggled desperately, wanting to escape this horrifying place, but found her body unable to move, as if bound. She could only watch helplessly as Lin Yaoyao's flaming hands drew closer and closer. The scorching flames seemed ready to consume her. The terrifying aura made her feel suffocated. Despair surged over her heart like a tide, drowning her. Bai Li's heart agonized between fear and the choice of love. She longed to be with Lin Yaoyao forever, even in Hell. But she couldn't bear to watch herself be consumed by flames. She still had an unfulfilled mission: to help Lin Yaoyao find the spiritual item to elevate her Bloodline, and to restore her own Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox form.
In the end, Bai Li chose to abandon the beauty of the illusion. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She understood this was all just an illusion, not real. She had to break the illusion and return to the real world. Bai Li gathered all the spiritual power within her body, concentrating it in her Dantian, then suddenly opened her eyes.
"Break!" Bai Li shouted loudly. A powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from within her, like a shockwave spreading out in all directions, instantly shattering the surrounding illusion. The scene before Bai Li's eyes fragmented like broken glass, piece by piece, until it finally vanished.
Bai Li returned to the real world. She found herself still standing in the center of the altar. The golden light screen had disappeared. Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo were looking at her anxiously.
"Bai Li, you're finally awake!" Seeing Bai Li return to normal, Lin Yaoyao was overjoyed. She hurried to Bai Li's side, tightly embracing her, her voice tinged with a sob. "You scared me to death!" She had just watched helplessly as Bai Li was enveloped by the golden light screen, powerless to do anything. That feeling of helplessness and fear had nearly broken her. Now, seeing Bai Li safe and sound, her anxious heart finally settled.
Bai Li gently patted Lin Yaoyao's back, comforting her, "Sister Yaoyao, I'm fine now." Her tone was gentle, her eyes filled with apology. "I made you worry." She had been so immersed in the illusion that she hadn't realized the passage of time nor noticed Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo's concern. Seeing them so worried about her now filled her heart with guilt.
Shen Mo also walked to Bai Li's side, asking with concern, "Bai Li, what happened to you just now? What occurred?" She had seen Bai Li enveloped by the golden light screen, then suddenly disappear, which puzzled her greatly. She wanted to know what Bai Li had experienced.
Bai Li briefly told Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo about her experience in the illusion. She didn't describe the details in depth, merely mentioning that she had encountered a trial and successfully passed it. "I passed the first trial," she said calmly. She didn't mention Lin Yaoyao's appearance in the illusion, as she didn't want Lin Yaoyao to worry.
After hearing Bai Li's account, both Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo were quite surprised. They hadn't expected Bai Li to undergo such a peculiar trial within the light screen.
"The first trial?" Lin Yaoyao blinked her lively, large eyes, her face full of confusion. "Does that mean there are more trials to come?" Her curiosity was like a lit flame, burning brighter and brighter. She couldn't wait to find out what other difficult and perilous challenges Bai Li would face.
Bai Li nodded slightly and replied softly, "That's right. The Guardian told me there are three trials in total. I've only completed one so far; there are two more trials awaiting me. But don't worry, I have enough confidence and courage to face any difficulty. I firmly believe I can successfully pass all the remaining trials!" As she spoke, Bai Li's gaze was exceptionally firm, like two blazing flames, revealing endless determination and confidence.
Hearing this, Lin Yaoyao immediately and firmly grasped Bai Li's hands, saying with equal resolve, "Mhm, of course I believe in you! No matter what difficulties you face, I'll always be by your side to support you." She looked deeply at Bai Li, her eyes full of trust and encouragement.
Then, Shen Mo, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward. She reached out with her right hand and gently patted Bai Li's shoulder, smiling encouragingly, "Bai Li, do your best! We all have full confidence in you. We believe that with your strength and perseverance, you can overcome all obstacles and achieve ultimate victory!"